India opener Shafali Verma turned out to be the player with a golden arm in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final. Before the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, Shafali had just one wicket to her name in ODIs. But, on the day of the final, she turned out to be the difference. The 21-year-old answered Harmanpreet Kaur’s call in time of need and provided with two crucial wickets of Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp. She was someone who South Africa batters were not prepared for, admitted captain Laura Wolvaardt whose century in the final went in vain.
"Yeah, didn't really expect her to bowl much today. So, a bit of a surprise factor from them. She just kind of bowled with front of the hand and really slow and was able to pick up a couple of wickets. I think. Yeah. In a World Cup final, you don't want to lose wickets to a part-time bowler. But frustrating that she was able to pick up two, two big ones as well, and yeah, then almost had to own the side of caution to not give her any more wickets. So yeah, she bowled pretty well. Frustrating, I guess, because it's not really the person you plan for. But yeah, she played well," Wolvaardt told reporters in the post-match press conference.
Wolvaardt’s ton in vain
Wolvaardt admitted her frustration as she watched key wickets fall from the other end. Also, India were able to build pressure in the middle overs despite Radha Yadav going for plenty. Shafali bowled a total of seven overs, conceded 36 runs and claimed two wickets.
Wolvaardt fought from one end but the required run rate kept climbing up. She took the aerial route against Deepti Sharma in the 42nd over but was caught in the deep by Amanjot Kaur. She departed after scoring 101 runs from 98 balls. The opener became the second batter to score a century in the semifinal and the final of a World Cup.
Shafali scripts history
As India won by 52 runs, Shafali was named ‘Player of the match’ for her 87-run knock and two scalps. The 21-year-old became the youngest to achieve the feat in a World Cup final.